Financial Controller
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What you'll do
- Lead and develop the Central Finance teams, creating a high-performing, inclusive and accountable culture that consistently delivers excellent outcomes.
- Take ownership of OS's financial control framework, ensuring the effective operation of accounting policies, controls, governance processes and compliance activities.
- Lead all core accounting activities, including financial operations, month-end and year-end close, statutory reporting and financial compliance.
- Drive continuous improvement across finance systems, processes and data governance.
- Build strong relationships across Finance and the wider organisation, acting as a trusted adviser on financial control, governance and technical accounting matters.
What they're looking for
- Has a recognised professional accountancy qualification (preferably ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
- Has significant experience in senior financial control, group accounting or financial reporting roles within a complex organisation
- Has a strong track record of leading and developing high-performing finance teams
- Brings deep technical accounting expertise and experience delivering statutory accounts, audits and financial compliance requirements
- Understands finance systems and data governance, with experience of driving improvement, automation and digital transformation within finance
- Is a confident and credible leader who can influence, challenge and build strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders
- Is passionate about continuous improvement and committed to building a modern, efficient and highly effective finance function
Summarised by NextRaise from the employer’s description, which follows in full below.
Full description from employer
Financial Controller
Full time
£79,605.00 - £92,873.00 (dependent on experience)
Hybrid working
Southampton
We're excited to share an opportunity for an experienced and ambitious finance leader to join Ordnance Survey as our Financial Controller. This is a senior leadership role within Finance, responsible for leading central finance, financial operations and reporting, whilst ensuring the integrity, reliability and compliance of our financial information. The role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our finance function, strengthen governance and controls, and lead the transformation of finance processes, systems and capabilities.
Working closely with the Finance leadership team and stakeholders across the organisation, you'll play a critical role in ensuring robust financial stewardship, maintaining shareholder confidence and supporting sound decision-making through high-quality financial reporting, governance and control.
About the role
As Financial Controller, you'll lead three core finance teams covering Technical Accounting, Financial Operations and Management Reporting. You will be a strong and capable people leader, who builds a high-performing culture focused on financial excellence, accountability and continuous improvement. You'll provide visible leadership across finance, ensuring that the function continues to provide a trusted foundation for decision-making across the organisation.
You'll be accountable for maintaining a strong control environment, delivering accurate and compliant financial reporting, ensuring audit readiness and embedding effective financial policies and processes across OS. However, in addition, you'll play a leading role in modernising finance through improved systems, data governance, automation and AI-enabled controls, helping to build a future-focused finance function.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys loves leading and developing finance teams, whilst also being able to lead transformational change and operational excellence within a complex financial environment.
Key responsibilities
Leadership and Team Development
Lead and develop the Central Finance teams, creating a high-performing, inclusive and accountable culture that consistently delivers excellent outcomes. You'll provide clear direction and leadership, develop future capability across the function and create an environment where people can grow, collaborate and continuously improve whilst delivering outstanding service to the business.
Financial Control and Governance
Take ownership of OS's financial control framework, ensuring the effective operation of accounting policies, controls, governance processes and compliance activities. You'll maintain a robust control environment that supports sound decision-making, financial integrity and compliance with statutory, regulatory and shareholder requirements.
Finance Operations and Reporting
Lead all core accounting activities, including financial operations, month-end and year-end close, statutory reporting and financial compliance. Provide expert technical accounting leadership across the organisation, overseeing the preparation of statutory accounts, leading the external audit activity and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and legislation.
Finance Systems, Transformation and Innovation
Drive continuous improvement across finance systems, processes and data governance. As business owner for Dynamics 365 Finance, you'll shape and deliver a roadmap that improves reporting integrity, automation, control effectiveness and operational efficiency, while exploring the appropriate use of AI-enabled tools and digital technologies to enhance finance performance and insight.
Stakeholder Leadership
Build strong relationships across Finance and the wider organisation, acting as a trusted adviser on financial control, governance and technical accounting matters. You'll communicate complex issues clearly, provide confidence and challenge where appropriate, and ensure stakeholders have access to reliable financial information that supports effective decision-making and organisational success.
About you
We’re looking for someone who:
Has a recognised professional accountancy qualification (preferably ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
Has significant experience in senior financial control, group accounting or financial reporting roles within a complex organisation
Has a strong track record of leading and developing high-performing finance teams
Brings deep technical accounting expertise and experience delivering statutory accounts, audits and financial compliance requirements
Understands finance systems and data governance, with experience of driving improvement, automation and digital transformation within finance
Is a confident and credible leader who can influence, challenge and build strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders
Is passionate about continuous improvement and committed to building a modern, efficient and highly effective finance function
The rewards
We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work.
Our benefits include:
Competitive salary and pension (OS contribute up to 12.07%)
Performance‑related bonus (where applicable)
28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave
Hybrid and flexible working options
Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring
Free subscription to OS Maps and access to wellbeing support
Volunteering leave and matched fundraising
Location & working pattern
We embrace a hybrid working model at OS, because we believe in flexibility and balance. You’ll be based at our fantastic HQ in Southampton, Hampshire, where you'll spend 3 days per week collaborating face-to-face with colleagues. It’s all about combining the best of both worlds connection and autonomy to help you thrive.
Security & eligibility
OS conducts pre-employment checks for anyone made an offer of employment, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks (via Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS).
Some of our roles may require additional security vetting. We will advise candidates during the recruitment process if additional vetting may be required for that specific role.
This role requires the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, OS cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Ordnance Survey is proud to be an accredited CIMA Development Quality Partner, demonstrating our commitment to supporting finance professionals in furthering their development and careers.
Inclusion at OS
Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At Ordnance Survey, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace.
If this role excites you but your experience doesn’t match every point, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right person for this role or another opportunity at OS.
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that people may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during the application process.
Closing date: 23 September 2026 @23:59pm
Who we are
We are Ordnance Survey, Great Britain’s national mapping service and a pioneer in geospatial technology. With over 230 years of trusted data, we empower better decisions, deeper understanding, and meaningful connections to the places we live, move through, and care for.
Three principles one direction
Clear the path – Cut the noise. Simplify. Move at pace
Seek the story – Listen. Understand. Speak up
Do what matters – Focus on value
Our principles unite us in delivering our Data & Destinations strategy with more simplicity, more clarity, and renewed momentum for each other and for our customers.
They’re here to create more good days, and fewer harder ones but only if each one of us plays our part.
Skills required for this role:
Accounting, Billing, Finance, Financial Controlling, Financial Systems, Leadership, Management Reporting, Risk Management, Taxes, Technical AccountingCompany
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